Most people start their move with good intentions and end it surrounded by unlabeled boxes. A moving inventory app on your phone changes that by letting you document items as you pack, room by room, so everything is accounted for on the other side. Retinelle makes this fast enough to do in real time — snap a photo, add a note, and keep packing.

Core workflow

Create a project for the move. One project per home keeps everything contained. If you are moving from a house to an apartment plus a storage unit, consider separate projects for each destination so you can filter later.
Walk through each room and photograph items as you pack. Doing this at packing time is the key. Once a box is sealed, you will not want to reopen it to remember what went inside. Capture items before they go in the box, or photograph the open box from above before taping it shut.
Add a note for the destination room and box label. A short note like “Kitchen — Box K-04” is enough. This connects the item to a physical box and tells movers (or your future self) exactly where it should end up.
Export a PDF checklist before moving day. Print one copy for yourself and share another with anyone helping. On arrival, you can check items off as boxes come through the door.

What to capture for each item

Not everything needs the same level of detail. Here is a practical breakdown:

Furniture and large items: One wide photo, a note about condition (scratches, loose legs), and which room it belongs in at the new place.
Box contents: A photo of the open box before sealing, plus a list of key items in the notes. You do not need to photograph every plate — just note “kitchen plates, set of 8.”
Fragile or valuable items: Two to three photos showing current condition from different angles. Add an estimated value if it matters for insurance — Retinelle’s custom currency field works well here.
Electronics: Photograph the item, its cables, and any serial number stickers. These are the things most likely to go missing or arrive damaged.

Retinelle’s custom fields let you add structured data beyond free-text notes. For a move, a custom enum field like “Destination Room” (Kitchen, Bedroom, Garage, Storage) is especially useful because you can then filter your item list by room and export a PDF sorted by destination — giving your movers a per-room checklist instead of one long list.

Common mistakes to avoid

Inventorying too late. If you start documenting after boxes are packed, you are relying on memory. Build the habit of photographing items as part of the packing step, not as a separate task afterward.

Skipping notes entirely. A photo without context is surprisingly unhelpful three weeks later. Even a two-word note (“guest bedroom”) saves time during unpacking.

One giant project with no structure. If everything is in a single flat list, finding a specific item means scrolling through hundreds of entries. Use consistent box labels in your notes so you can search by box number.

Forgetting shared spaces. Hallway closets, garage shelves, and attic storage tend to get packed last and documented never. Walk through these areas early in the process.

When to use this vs. box and storage inventory

A moving inventory is temporary and destination-focused — you care about getting things from point A to point B and confirming arrival. A box and storage inventory is for long-term reference: knowing what is inside bins that will sit in a basement or storage unit for months. If part of your move involves putting things into storage, start with a moving inventory project, then create a separate storage project for anything that goes into long-term holding. That way your active move checklist stays clean.

Frequently asked questions

How do I inventory my house before a move?

Start two to three weeks before your move date. Go room by room, beginning with spaces you use least — guest rooms, storage closets, the garage. Photograph items, add a note about which box or group they belong to, and mark fragile pieces. Rooms you use daily (kitchen, bedroom) can wait until the last few days. Exporting a PDF at the end gives you a dated record of everything.

How many photos do I need per item?

For most household items, one clear photo is enough. Reserve multiple angles for valuables, antiques, or electronics where you want to document condition. The goal is identification, not a product listing.

What if I forget to log something before packing a box?

Open the box, photograph the top layer, and note the visible contents. If reopening is not practical, add the box as a single entry with your best guess at the contents in the notes. An incomplete record is still far more useful than no record.

Moving Inventory